Cal Grants

Be a California resident or AB540 eligible student attending an eligible school in California on at least a half-time basis

Not have received a prior Bachelor's degree

Meet the satisfactory academic progress standards as determined by the institution

Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe a refund on a federal or state grant

Demonstrate financial need

Meet the minimum GPA requirement as determined by CSAC

Not exceed the income and asset ceilings established by CSAC

Types of Cal Grants

Cal Grant A is awarded to students from low and middle income families. It provides tuition assistance only. At a UC, it pays the mandatory fees charged to all UC students. It does not cover the campus-based fees (or "student services fees") that vary from campus to campus.

Cal Grant B is awarded to students from disadvantaged and low income families. In the first year of eligibility, it only provides a $1670 Access Grant. In the second through fourth years, it provides fee assistance in addition to the Access Grant.

Students enrolled less than full-time (12 units) on census date (one day after the last day to add classes on GOLD) will have their Cal Grant for that quarter reduced to a level that reflects their enrollment level. For example, a student enrolled in 10 units will have that quarter’s Cal Grant reduced to a 3/4-time award. This may necessitate billing back Financial Aid already received.

Category

Units

Full-Time

12 Units or more

3/4-Time

11.5 - 9 Units

Half-Time

8.5 - 6 units

Below Half Time

Below 6 units

Cal Grant B recipients may elect to receive the full disbursement of their Access award to use towards educational expenses or have it applied to any outstanding balances on the student's BARC account. By choosing the first option, Cal Grant B recipients are responsible to resolve any account balances with BARC. Please contact the Cal Grant Coordinator for more information.

How to Apply

New Applicants must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application and a GPA Verification Form (if required, see below) by March 2 prior to the academic year for which the award is intended. CSAC determines eligibility for new awards and notifies the eligible institution(s) listed on the FAFSA of these awards.

If you have not attended UCSB or you have completed less than 36 units at UCSB, you will be required to submit a GPA Verification Form.

If you have completed more than 36 units at UCSB, you will not be required to submit a GPA Verification Form. Our office will verify your GPA.

Renewal Applicants must file the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application, demonstrate financial need, and not exceed the income and asset ceilings established by CSAC. You can check the status of your Cal Grant at WebGrants 4 Students

Federal Pell Grant

This is a federal grant for high-need undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's degree. Eligibility is determined by the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) that is produced from the FAFSA.

Students who are enrolled less than full-time (12 units) on census date (one day after the last day to add classes on GOLD) will have their Pell Grants for that quarter reduced to a level that reflects their enrollment level. For example, a student enrolled in 10 units will have that quarter’s Pell Grant reduced to a 3/4-time award. This may necessitate a billing back of Financial Aid already received.

Category

Units

Full-Time

12 Units or more

3/4-Time

11.5 - 9 Units

Half-Time

8.5 - 6 units

Below Half Time

Below 6 units

UCSB Scholarship

This scholarship is made available by the University of California. It is awarded to undergraduate students who are considered on-time FAFSA and CA DREAM applicants and who are determined to have sufficient financial need. All awards are subject to the availability of funding.

UC Health Insurance Grant

All UCSB students are automatically enrolled in and charged for UC Health Insurance unless they submit an approved insurance waiver with the Student Health Insurance Office. This grant helps cover the cost of UC Health Insurance for the academic year and the amount of this grant is dependent upon your financial need. Students who opt out of UC Health Insurance will not be eligible to receive the grant. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will not consider any appeals from students who waive out.

If you do waive out of UC Health Insurance, your total financial aid will still include the full cost of the Gaucho Access Plan (GAP) in order to ensure students have adequate funding to sign up for that program. For more information about Gaucho Health Insurance, please visit UCSB's Student Health office website.

Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan

The Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan is a Financial Aid Initiative for University of California undergraduate students. The goal of the new “Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan” is to ensure that UC system-wide fees do not deter the half of California households with incomes below $80,000 from aspiring to a UC education.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, you must:

Be a California resident

Submit a FAFSA and provide all requested documents. For more information, visit Applying

Apply for a Cal Grant (if not already a recipient)

Demonstrate sufficient financial need

Have income below $80,000. For dependent students, this refers to your parent's income. For independent students, this refers to the combined income of you and your spouse

Be in your first four years (two if a transfer student) of University undergraduate attendance

Meet basic requirements for UC grant assistance

No student will receive more scholarship and grant support than the calculated financial need. All sources of scholarship and grant awards (federal, state, institutional, and private sources, including outside agency scholarships) will count towards covering fees and meeting the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan commitment. The majority of students who meet the income eligibility standard will already have sufficient grant and scholarship support to cover full UC system-wide fees based on our standard Financial Aid packaging guidelines. Students can receive only one fee paying resource. For example, if a student is receiving Cal Grant, the student would not be eligible for Blue and Gold.

In addition to the minimum funding under the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan, undergraduates with sufficient financial need will receive additional grant support to help defray other educational expenses (e.g.: books, living expenses, transportation, etc.).

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

This is federal grant aid that must be awarded to students with the highest need. It is awarded to undergraduate students who are considered on-time FAFSA applicants and who are determined to have sufficient financial need.